PCC dedicates Technology Classroom Building at Sylvania Campus

On Wednesday, Nov. 10, the college and the community celebrated the opening of the brand new Technology Classroom Building. The dedication and grand opening celebration on the Sylvania Campus featured a brief dedication ceremony highlighted by featured speaker, State Sen. Ginny Burdick. Also providing remarks were District President Preston Pulliams, PCC board chair Dana Anderson, board member Norma Jean Germond and student body president Danielle Bryant. Bryant discussed why it’s important for PCC to have this building, which will improve upon PCCs basic mission."My reaction to this building is one of sheer enjoyment," said Bryant. "The diversity, the price of tuition and the small classrooms are really important. To have that one-on-one time with the instructor is very important. When they care about you doing well academically, it spurs me on to do my best."In addition, a fountain sculpture by Northwest artist Lee Kelly and a stone plate sculpture by artist and PCC faculty member Marie Watt were dedicated. The Sylvania Jazz Trio provided entertainment."This is a happy day," said Norma Jean Germond, PCC board member. "This is a glorious addition to the Sylvania Campus and rounds out the technology of this campus."The Technology Classroom Building opened in September for fall classes. The environmentally-friendly building includes an indoor garden courtyard that is passively cooled and heated by nature, in addition to many other sustainable design elements. Educationally, the facility provides a boost to distance learning, advanced technology and video production programs at the Sylvania Campus.The $8 million, 46,000-square-foot facility was part of the voter-approved $144 million bond measure for PCC in November of 2000. Opsis Architecture designed the facility while Skanska USA served as the general contractor. The firms along with the dedicated staff of Grant Bennett (facilities project manager), Steve Sivage (director of physical plant), Randy McEwen (vice president of administrative services) and a host of other staff were recognized for their tireless effort in making the structure a reality."This doesn’t happen without the effort of a lot of people," added Paul Hill, interim Sylvania Campus president. "This building is inspiring to us in many ways."CAPTIONSTop, State Sen. Ginny Burdick cuts the ribbon to officially open Sylvania’s Technology Classroom Building. Also with her are (left to right) Norma Jean Germond (PCC board member), Preston Pulliams (district president), Jaime Lim (board member), Dana Anderson (board chair), Harold Williams (board vice-chair), Karen McKinney (board member), Danielle Bryant (Sylvania student body president) and Larry Galizio, speech instructor and newly elected state legislator.Middle photo, Paul Hill (right), interim Sylvania Campus president, lifts the veil covering the dedication plaque for the new Technology Classroom Building as PCC District President Preston Pulliams watches. Bottom photo, Danielle Bryant talked about the increased accessibility the new building will give to students.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, has been the Communications Specialist for the Office of Public Affairs at Portland Community College since November of 1999. A graduate of Portland State University, J... more »